Habs return home after rookie dinner in Florida

After picking up eight of a possible 10 points on their five-game road trip, which wrapped up with Sunday’s 5-2 win over the Panthers, the Canadiens held their rookie dinner Sunday night in Florida before flying back home on Monday.

Rookies Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher will no doubt be a little lighter in their wallets after picking up the tab. The Canadiens will have the day off Monday to recover before hitting the ice Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Brossard as they prepare to face the Ottawa Senators Wednesday night at the Bell Centre (7 p.m., TSN, RDS, TSN 690 Radio).

1,125 Comments

The NHL network doesn’t give us much credit or recognition. They ranked the Habs 5th on the power rankings behind Anahiem, Chicago, Boston and Pittsburgh. First in the east and still can’t get any respect sheesh.

Hey here’s an idea for Buttman. After the first round of shootouts if it is still tied,then have a hardest shot contest,or fastest player once around the rink.Then everyone can exchange their sweaty clothing..Un frikkin believable!

Agreed I think letang is a lock. Right now the projected roster on tsn has the d as Letang, Weber, Doughty, Staal, Del Zotto and Pietrangelo. The first 4 I agree with. I think PK is better all round than both Del Zotto and Pietrangelo. If his play continues he will be invited to play for Canada IMO

It would be great if Pacioretty used the same healing technique that Mr. Miyagi used in the Karate Kid movies. He’d simply need to rub his hands together then apply his healing powers to his teammate’s injured areas.

Say what you want. In all fairness to Boston. They have played the least games in the eastern conference and stands 1-point out of 1st place. Taking this into consideration. Right now they’re the best team in the east.

In my opinion, there are 16 contenders for the Norris Trophy, although arguments could be made for Dan Hamhuis, Marc Staal or Ryan McDonagh because of their defensive play and Keith Yandle or Slava Voynov for their offence. Historically, and I know the stats guys at other sites will lose their minds over this, the numbers that get bandied about when assessing defencemen are goals, points, +/-, time on ice and short-handed time on ice. Here’s how the contenders stack up.

If P.K. Subban doesn’t get much love for the Norris Trophy this season, it will largely because of his pedestrian rankings in time on ice and the fact that Therrien is not using him on the penalty kill. Finishing dead last in that category is what will hurt his chances, and that one is solely on Therrien. I don’t get his unwillingness to play Subban on the penalty kill, where Subban did very well last season.

Right now, I would say that the the leading candidates at the halfway pole are Beauchemin, Ekman-Larsson, Letang and Pietrangelo, although the latter’s +/- will hurt him badly. Subban is moving up the list, but his time on ice needs to increase dramatically before the voters take him seriously, especially when the disdain for Subban outside of Montreal is factored in. I don’t really get the disdain, but it is there and it will hurt Subban.

Weber and Chara will be in the mix because of name recognition and, in Weber’s case, the fact that their game is now rounding into top form after a slow start to this strange season.

Not only is Pietrangelo’s plus/minus bad, but it’s actually one of those rare occasions when that stat isn’t lying.

Darren Pang’s man crush has been dreadful defensively. He’s been on the wrong end of a lot of highlight reels and has been routinely corkscrewed into the ice in front of his own net and at his blueline.

Kronwall is the opposite case…his +/- is not at all representative of his defensive prowess. Kronwall is an elite defenceman who has filled Nicklas Lidstrom’s shoes very admirably, if that is possible.

Seven weeks left. If MT keeps playing PK 25-27 minutes/games like recently, his numbers will improve even more. I’m surprised Chara’s name is not mentioned more. Isn’t he arguably the best shutdown defenceman in the NHL? We’ll see tonight…

Fantastic breakdown Chris. Thanks for taking the time to post this. Have to agree that without more minutes PK will not get serious consideration for the Norris and that is on Therrien. However, since the Diaz injury PK has been playing 24-26 min a game and has seen his PK time increase as well. If the trend continues he will be among the leaders in ice time as well as points and plus minus. If that I the case he will be a very strong candidate. He’s currently on pace for 13 goals and 38 points in 42 games (prorated over 82 games that is 24 goals and 74 points) those are the kind of numbers that won Karlsson a Norris.

I agree whole-heartedly. Markov has been sneaky good this season. He’s been routinely showing up on the highlight reels when other teams score goals, but that is often because he is out there against the best of the best. Stamkos, Crosby, Giroux, Tavares…if the teams are not balanced (like Boston, who have #1A and #1B lines), Markov/Emelin are the pairing that are out there the most against the big guns.

I actually think Markov has been better of late as well…I’m seeing less of his dives. I think he’s getting his defensive timing and positioning back. The speed is obviously an issue, and that will probably never come back, but he thinks the game better than any Montreal Canadiens player. His hockey IQ is ridiculous.

I think Emelin deserves a lot of credit too. Playing with Markov obviously makes him look better, as it did for Mike Komisarek and various other guys before him, but Emelin and Markov are a good pairing. Emelin is gaining confidence (much like Eller up front) and is starting to show more flashes of the offensive skill that he showed in Russia. He was playing a very simple game last season, but he’s starting to ramp up the degree of difficulty as he gains confidence.

And the thing I love about Emelin –> 522 minutes on the ice playing against the best of the best and playing a very physical game, yet he has only earned 5 minor penalties all season. That is absolutely astounding given his style of play.

Agree that the award should maybe be split for best offensive and defensive d-man now. While guys like Lidstrom are all around to many guys who don’t get a lot of points aren’t recognized as great D when they actually are

I think that is a good idea. Defensive d-men often don’t get a chance at the Norris. It makes sense too as there is a Hart (and/or Art Ross) and a Selke trophy. The Hart can go to D-men and goalies, but it is uncommon.

Last thing I will say on the subject. Subban is the best PP defensemen in the league. He is not in the top 60 scoring defensemen in the league at even strength. His PK time is 6th on his own team among defensemen, presumably because his defensive value is not as high as the others. If that makes him the Norris Trophy winner or a candidate so be it.

Interesting ringette move by Daugavins last night. I’m somewhat surprised this hasn’t been tried by someone else previously.
Having said that, I think it’s only a matter of time before the NHL bans it.

Then,during a shoot out,why not simply scoop up the puck with the blade of the stick at centre ice, skate with it this way to the front of the net,and boomerang it towards the goalie? I believe this move is legal as well right now.

The point I’m trying to make is that if these plays were sanctioned by the NHL,the league would become a laughing stock.

In a shootout, so long as you stick to the rules, then players should be able to be creative and score goals – that’s part of the point.

During normal play, if any player gets the time and space to pull off a move as you say, then…. the other team is made to look bad, but why shouldn’t skilled players make certain moves, so long as they are within the rules?

Chris Stewart and Ryan Clowe are the two we should be looking at. We would have to pay more for Stewart, but he brings more to the table long term. Clowe’s value is low right now and he could probably be acquired for a secondary prospect or a third rounder.

Hard to read some of the ridiculous comments regarding PK. When the rest of the league, not to mention some pretty knowledgeable hockey analysts, say we have a Norris trophy type player on our team, why can’t we just enjoy the ride. The haters are digging deep these days.

Yeah it’s pretty ridiculous. People are always looking for ways to put PK down. Last year a lot were shitting on him for missing the net or shooting into oncoming defenders from the point on the PP. this year he fixed that problem, has been lethal with his shot and some people say he isn’t a top dman because he has more pp points than even strength. What’s next???

The person posting that stuff is a Buffoons fan…. so don’t worry about. Fans of actual hockey know PK is the bomb-diggity. I live in Laff land and everyone was telling me they hope PK signed there. Basically fans from every team were hoping MB screwed up the negotiations.

I didn’t know he was a fan of the Goons. He spelled most of his words correctly, that’s what threw me off. All I know is that it’s been years since we’ve had a team like this one to cheer on, so I’m just going to sit back and enjoy it while it lasts.

No. Much of his current value is because of his PP numbers. If you are talking about the Norris Trophy, all around value needs to be mentioned. I doubt among voters he is among the top 10 Candidates right now.

Chris made a valid point early on this thread, regarding his limited minutes earlier in the season. If he continues to score at this torrid pace all the while playing big and important minutes for this team, there is no way he doesn’t enter the Norris trophy discussion, regardless of pp or even strength scoring.

That is a totally inaccurate statement. He may have been reintegrated slowly but since Diaz has gone down PK has been playing #1 d minutes. He is relied upon to shut down other teams top players and kill penalties. You are acting as if PK is MAB. He is a 1st pairing dman relied upon in all facets of the game and he happens to be a lethal PP weapon that is a plus not a detraction.

Nothing about those numbers indicate a shut down defensemen that kills penalties. According to more advanced metrics I do not see him matching up with #1 lines like other top D – men but I could be wrong there.

Rat stop spreading lies. He is sixth I total minutes because of missing 6 games. He is second on the team in average PK ice time per game. Do you even watch the games or do you just look at the scores. Subban is on the top pk unit with gorges

Lies? He is SIXTH this year in average PK time per game. Behind Gorges, Markov, Emelin, Diaz and Boullion. Obviously, the coaching staff feels the other players are better defensively on the PK than Subban.

I know I addressed this below but once again I apologize I was looking at the wrong year and was conviced you were looking at the wrong stats. I understand your argument in terms of ice time hurting his Norris candidacy. A lot of it has to do with therrien easing pk in. He was playing 3rd pairing minutes until Diaz got hurt. Since the injury though PK has taken over as the #1 and has been playing in every situation. By the end of the season he will be amongst the leaders on the team in PK ice time IMO

Get your facts straight man. PK averages just over 18 min per game even strength and 3:30 a game on the PP. Letang averages 19 min a game even strength and 4 min on the PP. where the minutes really differ is the PK. Sub an averages 2:30 on the PK and Letang only 1:30. To me that shows that PK is more reliable defensively. Letang is 4th on his team for PK time whereas PK is second on his team.

The things stats reveal are enticing. However, like a bikini, what they conceal are vital.
PK continues playing as he is right now and he will be considered. Will he win? Probably not, seeing as most all of these awards are mainly popularity contests among hockey writers.

That is a good point cal. However rat has his stats wrong and in this case the stats as well as what they don’t show are both in PK’s favor. He is averaging big minutes even strength, slightly less pp time than letting but significantly more PK time. Subban is on our top PK unit, letang is 4th on the team for PK minutes and is not relied upon as a shutdown guy.

LizardKing12 – No problem. No question, Subban is a very good player. Probably a candidate for Team Canada at the next Olympics. I just do not see him as a top candidate for the Norris Trophy based on his numbers.

His value is that he’s our best and most versatile defenseman. He as you say is highly effective on the powerplay, he’s excellent at even strength, specifically with protecting the puck and finding the open ice both in getting out of his own end and in transition. He’s physical and wins battles for the puck.

He has flaws like holding the puck too long and occasionally taking himself out of position to make a hit. But both of those problems go away with experience.

I understand the entertainment value of the shootout but it is wrong to have some games worth 3 points and some worth 2. This is what creates this artificial parity that is so prevalent in the NHL.

I would like to see what the standings would look like if teams were awarded 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for a OT/shoot-out win, 1 point for a OT/shoot-out loss. A team’s position in the standings would be much more accutate to their skill level and the league could still have this entertaining gimmick.

However, the NHL and its fans love a close playoff race, artificial or not. That fact that teams can hang on to playoff dreams much longer than they should is something the NHL will never get rid of.

If they are going to award a point for a shootout, why not have one after EVERY game? Personally, I think it should be eliminated but if there must be a shootout why favor the teams that have tied by giving them a chance for an extra point over a team that has won in regulation?

I dont see why a contest that has a “prize” of two points to be awarded to the winner should be followed only in certain situations (when it is tied) by a second contest (Ot and SO) offering one additional point to the winner. It would make just as much sense to have a 5 minute overtime followed by a shootout after a game ends with a regulation win.
To make it even more exciting why not take a page from the roller derby? After the men finish their game (worth two points in the standings) why not have each team field a womens team to play for the “extra” point?

Can’t stand the old boys climb bitching about nothing. If it’s within the rules keep your mouth shut and stop whining, especially when he came as close as he did. I guess people would have been happier had he skated in and wristed the puck wide of the net…sigh.

Had he scored he’s a hero (but unfortunately still probably vilified for being creative). If it ended up not counting as a result of losing forward momentum, then I can understand the hand wringing – especially from his teammates.

Yeah, I agree with the old boys getting their proverbial (or literal, who knows…) panties in a twist because a player tried to be creative in a shootout. If you don’t want those moves, don’t let a game be decided by a skills competition!

Is the shootout a mockery of the game? It highlights the skills of players, so it’s a good showcase of talent, but it’s not a fair way to decide a game. That being said, creative moves by talented players are not a mockery but a celebration of the skill it takes to play hockey at that level.

Completely agree on everything.
I don’t like the shootout deciding the outcome of a game and I don’t like the 3 point games, but your point, re: celebration of skill and individual talent, is well taken.

1) I thought that it would be illegal even if he score. The definitely went backwards when he spun around. (is that allowed now?)

2) Its a stupid move. There is no way he could lift the puck, the goalie can simply lie down across the crease a la Hal Gill or attack the shooter with an aggressive poke check. The chances of scoring on that type of move, in my opinion, is about one in 50. Save it for the all star game.

The legalities of shoot out moves is getting very blurry, between the near stand still approach of Kane, to the spinorama’s being used by others, I no longer have a clue what is legal and what isn’t.

Given it seems here to stay, I wonder if perhaps they should just say, okay from the time you touch the puck at center ice you have 6 seconds to get your shot over the goal line. And let the player do whatever they want.

What’s wrong with that, front?
It creates more respect between the players of other teams, that’s probably what the game needs to stop these stupid headshots and bad hits that are a product of a lack of regard for the safety of others.

Subban is not a Norris Candidate because his offensive production is based almost solely on the PP. He has 5 even strength points, which does not rank him in the top 60 among defensemen. The fact that the Canadiens have so much more PP time relative to SH time is the basis for his offensive numbers. When you compare him to Letang who has 20 even strength points or Ekman-Larsson who has 13 you realize he is not close.

Disagree. A Norris candidate primarily plays defense and has a high TOI (>25 minutes/game). Subban has been doing that since the Diaz injury. It is not his fault MT did not play him more earlier. Points are points, wherever they come from. If you want to nitpick, do you realize who Letang plays with? You don’t think playing with Crosby, Malkin, Neal etc. helps his numbers? Regardless, Letang is not good defensively. PK is easily better than him defensively.

Exactly, if PK is going to lose credit for a Norris candidacy because most of his points come on the PP then Letang should lose some credit because he gets to play with the 2 best players in the world! Points are points can’t see this being a legitimate detraction.

Sorry, I replied in the wrong spot. Subban’s ice time is inflated because of PP time. I am not saying Letang will win the award, but nobody is going to pick Subban over him. Letang is +10. When was the last time a Norris Trophy winner or even a candidate had such a lopsided PP to even strength ratio. Even Mike Green piled up even strength points. Bobby Orr was annually between +70 and +120, so I guess he was okay at even strength.

Get your facts straight man. PK averages just over 18 min per game even strength and 3:30 a game on the PP. Letang averages 19 min a game even strength and 4 min on the PP. where the minutes really differ is the PK. Sub an averages 2:30 on the PK and Letang only 1:30. To me that shows that PK is more reliable defensively. Letang is 4th on his team for PK time whereas PK is second on his team.

Nice try, but thanks for proving my point. The stats you are referencing are LAST YEAR. When the coaching staff thought Subban’s value was equal offensively and defensively. This years much more intelligent coaching staff feels Subban is the team’s sixth best defensemen on the penalty kill

Letang has played 437 minutes of even strength time on ice. He has been on for 31 goals for and 21 goals against. The averages are one goal scored every 14 minutes and one goal allowed every 21 minutes,

Subban has played 321 minutes of even strength hockey. The Habs have scored 17 goals during that span and have allowed 13 . the averages are one goalscored every 18 minutes, and one goal allowed every 24 minutes. So ineven strength situations Subban is “better” than Letang defnsively 24 min per GA versus 21, and Letang is better offensively 14 min per GF versus 18.

let’s look at Beauchemin. He has played 443 minutes, being on teh ice for 11 goals against and 28 goals scored.

His averages are one goal scored every 16 minutes ( right between Subban and Letang, and one goal allowed every 40 minutes. Significantly better than both Subban and Letang.

If the Norris is awarded on merit. Beauchemin should get the prize, hands down.

Myself if we are healthy I would go to the playoffs with what we have. Why get rid of anyone. Every player on this team worked hard to be where they’re at and they deserve to stay together win or lose.

Having said that. The 4th line is the only line I would think about tinkering with. Not saying I’m going to but. If I could add toughness and points to that line. I would. Nothing like having 4-good lines to roll in the playoffs …..

It is a luxury to have players with that much NHL experience in the press box. However, something tells me Therrien isn’t comfortable having Kaberle in the lineup. If he was happy with his play I doubt they would’ve given Pateryn an opportunity to play. Bergevin will look to add some depth on d. If someone like Regehr is available for a reasonable price I think MB pulls the trigger

That is also a possibility. Either way it means they would rather not have Kaberle on the ice. D depth is important come playoff time. Can never have too many NHL quality dmen! If there is one move I’d like to see at the deadline it would be for another defenseman.

Here is the link to hear MacLeans post game reaction to Daugavins and the penalty shot. I suppose when watching the full interview in context he isn’t really taking a shot at the kid, but it is curious.

I like what Daugavins did because I believed that the shooter had to begin the shootout attempt without the puck on his stick. If anyone has a problem with it their issue is more with the shootout than how the shot is taken in my opinion.

Funny enough I don’t have a problem with what the player did but don’t approve of the shootout deciding important points.

The guy who does the color commentary for Boston games is such a douchebag. When Chara was holding Latendresse against the boards last night and Gui tried to get a call from the ref’s, the homer announcer actually said:

“I guess once a canadien, always a canadien!”

Seriously? 5 games later and he’s still sore about the loss. In this guy’s mind no team can beat the BS without cheating.

“Improvement over Boullion?”…that is the key question to ask if pondering a trade for a defenseman where high picks will be given. I like Regehr…he’s mean BUT his stats are similar to FB’s (hits, blocked shots, TOI). Don’t know…

Don’t see MB acquiring a top 9 forward or a starting defenceman. Do you see Boullion getting benched with the team in first place? Don’t think so. Do you see a top 9 forward losing his spot? I can’t imagine who…Chucky?

The more I think of it, the more convinced I am that nothing much is going to happen (unless there is a major injury) at trade deadline…

Not saying depth it is a hindrance but team chemistry is important. When Ryder was brought in, Cole was removed simultaneously, making the fit easier. I just think it has to be taken into consideration since the team is doing very well.

Absolutely. If anyone is picked up, they have to be able to accept a small role without upsetting team chemistry. If the team gets healthy, there will be no need for any additions. Be nice to have enough bodies so we don’t have to watch Yanik weber in the playoffs…

Pending a bizarre run of injuries, time to stay the course. Artificial closeness in points means that even the GMs that privately know the jig is up (I am looking at you Yzerman/Feaster) are using the public face to drive up the prices.

Having three lines capable of alternating as “number 1″ and very even time splits means that injuries/slumps or the failure of mars to align with saturn on some nights will not be a cause for alarm.

If necessary players can shift up, capable players with NHL experience and aware of the new system (Blunden, Leblanc, St-Denis) are now healthy enough (last two particularly) to back fill.

I would rather they try to work out a swap of the Calgary pick and a player for one of the Blue Jackets first rounders for example.

Did you see that weak-ass’d shoot-out attempt by Ottawa last night? Brutal. Did he really think he could beat an NHL goalie with a pathetic move like that? If Ottawa misses the playoffs by one point, they will remember this. Alfredsson should be embarrassed.

Hobie – Brad Boyes would be a excellent player to bring in But. When everyone is back where is he gonna fit in.The only spot I can see would be R/W on the 3rd line than Prust would have to move to the 4th line. Prust is good along side of Galchenyuk and Eller.